May 4, 2021
Over the years, I have repaired, adjusted, and enhanced a diversity of telescopes, and spent hours consulting and training novice and experienced astronomers and astrophotographers. Below is a list of repairs and improvements that I have successfully accomplished. I also offer telephone and video consulting for a modest price. If you need repairs, training, consultation, or even on-site, hands-on setup and training, let me know your needs at service@TexasStarCave.com.
Curriculum Vitae
PlaneWave 20″ CDK (Corrected Dahl-Kirkman) – Insperity Observatory
- Clean primary and secondary mirrors
- Repair Hedrick electronic focuser
- Adjust secondary spacing
Meade 16″ LX200 ACF – Insperity Observatory
- Clean corrector plate, primary mirror, and secondary mirror
- Laser cut Bahtinov focus mask
- Repair primary focuser and focus lock
- Install 3″ Crayford and electronic focus motor
- Design, machine, and powder coat adapter for 3″ Crayford focuser
- Collimate secondary
Celestron 14″ EdgeHD – Texas Star Cave™
- Laser cut Bahtinov focus mask
- Design and 3D print vent fan solution
- Design and 3D print low-profile guide scope solution
- Design and 3D print filter drawer and filter holders
- Design, machine, and 3D print UV capable Atmospheric Dispersion Corrector
Celestron 11″ EdgeHD – private customer
- Clean all optics: corrector, primary, secondary, and EdgeHD aplanatic optics
- Design and laser cut split HyperStar compatible Bahtinov mask
- 3D print spike-control cable manager
- Install black flocking inside tube to enhance contrast
- Install Celestron SCT Focus Motor
Celestron 11″ HyperStar – Texas Star Cave™
- Defork telescope from Alt-Az mount
- Clean corrector plate
- Recenter secondary
- Laser cut split HyperStar compatible Bahtinov mask
- Install HyperStar
- 3D print and install diffraction-control cable manager
- Add air filtered primary mirror cooling vents
- Repurpose mirror locks from broken EdgeHD 14
- Install Celestron SCT Focus Motor
Celestron 8″ EdgeHD – Texas Star Cave™
- Clean corrector plate
- Laser cut split HyperStar compatible Bahtinov mask
- Design and 3D print vent fan solution
- Design and 3D print low-profile guide scope solution
Meade 6″ UHTC SCT – private customer
- Clean corrector plate, primary mirror, and secondary mirror
- Laser cut Bahtinov focus mask
- Collimate secondary
- Repurpose star finder
Takahashi FS-60B – private customer
- 3D printed multi-focal length Bahtinov mask system
Coronado Personal Solar Telescope (PST) – Texas Star Cave™
- Replace internal IFT filter
Software Bisque Paramount – Insperity Observatory
- Resolder power socket
- Replace failed circuit boards
Losmandy G11 Gemini 2 Mount – Texas Star Cave™
- Adjust RA and DEC backlash problems
Orion Atlas Pro AZ-EQ6 – Texas Star Cave™
- Adjust DEC backlash problem
ZWO ASI1600MM Pro – Texas Star Cave™
- Desolder failed component on circuit board
ZWO ASI462MC – Texas Star Cave™
- Replace camera window with fused silicon window for better UV performance
Digital Assisted Astronomy (ongoing projects)
- Design and prototype dew controller
- Design and prototype USB electronic focuser
- Design and prototype temperature and humidity sensor
- Design and prototype battery monitor
- Design and prototype sky quality meter
- Design and prototype Peltier cooler for DSLR sensor
Teaching and Training
- Numerous training sessions in astrophotography and astronomy at North Houston Astronomy Club, Houston Astronomical Society, Michiana Astronomical Society, et al
- Assistant Director, Insperity Observatory
- Co-author Astronomical League Foundations in Imaging
- Achieve Astronomical League Observing Program Mentor, Master Level
- Former NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador
- Produce training videos and articles for Texas Star Cave website
- Solar astronomy at ICR Discovery Center for Science and Earth History
